There was a time when in international sports, the country was known for only cricket and hockey.In Olympics, the country waited only for hockey matches and if we missed any medal therein, our score remained zero. In this backdrop the country unwittingly tilted towards cricket. I remember when in early 1960s, as a college student I learnt a few jargons like pitch, wicket, LBW, gully. silly, fineleg etc which mesmerised me to the extent that in search of friendly families/cricket with a radio to listen the running commentary of Jasdev Singh, I often ignored my studies. Particularly when the Indo-Pak series were in progress, one could see hundreds of fans clustered in front of pan stalls.
Whenever the Olympics started, the country eagerly waited for hockey matches involving India. Particularly Indo-Pak match of any level crowded the pan shops and dhabas. The families with a radio were swarmed by the hockey/cricket lovers. If we lost any medal in that event, our score remained ZERO. The fans on the street wept bitterly as if some near and dear has taken his last breath. The victorious team on return was received in a colourful procession and quite contrarily, when returned as a loser, their houses were pelted. If there was any loss of a match in cricket or hockey at the hands of India, Pakistan wailed as if hit by a national calamity with similar reaction when India lost. Even today, in these two events, these two country can digest defeat from any other team not each other..
The economic revival in India since late 80s has turned the table. Obviously when you can afford to give good food, good training and good paraphernalia to your sports persons, they are bound to give a better account of themselves. Previously on international plane, only Japan was seen ahead of any Asian country. Today China, India, Japan, South Korea etc are honourably competing with developed countries. India's performance in cricket, hockey, lawn tennis, badminton, shooting, weightlifting, boxing, wrestling and kabaddi is taken as a matter of pride by all Indians. Not only that, within last one fortnight, 7'2" inches Satnam Singh in basketball and Vijender Singh in boxing have joined famous professional groups. It appears that India has shaped itself as a fertile land for sports materials and the world is looking at us for such talents.
Whenever the Olympics started, the country eagerly waited for hockey matches involving India. Particularly Indo-Pak match of any level crowded the pan shops and dhabas. The families with a radio were swarmed by the hockey/cricket lovers. If we lost any medal in that event, our score remained ZERO. The fans on the street wept bitterly as if some near and dear has taken his last breath. The victorious team on return was received in a colourful procession and quite contrarily, when returned as a loser, their houses were pelted. If there was any loss of a match in cricket or hockey at the hands of India, Pakistan wailed as if hit by a national calamity with similar reaction when India lost. Even today, in these two events, these two country can digest defeat from any other team not each other..
The economic revival in India since late 80s has turned the table. Obviously when you can afford to give good food, good training and good paraphernalia to your sports persons, they are bound to give a better account of themselves. Previously on international plane, only Japan was seen ahead of any Asian country. Today China, India, Japan, South Korea etc are honourably competing with developed countries. India's performance in cricket, hockey, lawn tennis, badminton, shooting, weightlifting, boxing, wrestling and kabaddi is taken as a matter of pride by all Indians. Not only that, within last one fortnight, 7'2" inches Satnam Singh in basketball and Vijender Singh in boxing have joined famous professional groups. It appears that India has shaped itself as a fertile land for sports materials and the world is looking at us for such talents.
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